Google Home Speaker Bug Downloaded Terabytes of Data, WIRED Writer Finds 487 GB in Ten Days

A misconfiguration in a server led to some Google Home Speakers continuously downloading a software update, which resulted in high data usage on residential Wi-Fi networks. One individual noted approximately three terabytes of data consumed over several weeks, while a writer from WIRED verified 487 GB in just ten days. Google acknowledged that the problem impacted specific devices and has since been resolved. To prevent surpassing a two-terabyte limit, the writer disconnected the speaker. An audit uncovered discrepancies: Amazon recorded 22 GB in a week with merely a Ring smoke detector, and a device named "WATCH" consumed 21 GB without an active smartwatch. Users should monitor their devices if they experience a drop in bandwidth, as different routers provide varying data tracking features.